Stretching the boundaries of education: UI Extension crosses county lines

Under a recent reorganization of UI Extension, extension educators are doing more of what they do best, and less that lies outside their areas of expertise. Northern Idaho’s five panhandle counties are among the first in Idaho to switch from the traditional, county-bound format to a structure that encourages extension expert educators to cross county lines. Stretched by loss of resources and serving large areas with low populations, counties now pool their resources in a “suite” of specialties available to communities throughout the state (see sidebar at right).

“In this county, I’m the only faculty,”says Valdasue Steele, Benewah County extension educator. “For me, the reorganization is really good, because I get more support.” Steele’s expertise includes soils science, pasture and forage management, equine management, and community development. She is happy to focus her research and program development efforts in those areas, and to share what she knows across county lines.

She is equally happy to have experts such as extension educator Chris Schnepf available to answer questions and present programs in forest management practices, ecology, and silviculture in Benewah communities. County commissioners, who help fund extension programs, find advantages in the cross-county arrangement. Rick Currie, Kootenai County commissioner, whose district has been sharing experts for years, finds the practice beneficial.

“For us, crossing county boundaries is the norm,” says Currie. “All the sharing has cut the price: In the five northern Idaho counties, we’ve realized a savings equivalent to two positions. Anytime you can work with other entities, it’s an advantage. We work very closely with the other panhandle counties.”

Sharing brings more consistency
The practice of sharing expertise has been growing for some time in some extension districts, and is new to others. Schnepf has been sharing his forestry expertise in five counties for almost 15 years. Nutrition expert Shelly Johnson already presents the highly successful “Extension Nutrition Program” in all 10 District I counties. Faculty members in District I’s five southern counties have delivered cross-county programming for more than 15 years.

Extension faculty say the cross-county approach allows for more consistent information and program delivery. “Whether presenting youth development, forestry, family, or agricultural programs, people in all the counties are getting the same information,” Steele notes. Johnson adds, “It allows us to be more in-depth in our research and program development.”

Reorganization and resulting faculty specialization enable extension educators to better meet needs of Idahoans. “To help people solve complex issues of today’s society,” notes Vicki Parker-Clark, District I director, “this is the only way to go.”

David Clark–Coeur d’Alene Reservation Extension
David provides education in natural resources, youth and adult development and leadership; also community development.

Carol Hampton—Boundary County Extension
Carol provides education for families and youth on issues that impact family relationships.

Sarah Howe—Boundary County Extension
Sarah provides education in community development, agricultural crop programs, sustainable agriculture, and 4-H/youth development.

Shelly Johnson—Kootenai County Extension
Shelly provides education in nutrition, food safety, and diabetes management; she administers the Extension Nutrition Program (ENP).

Chris Schnepf—Kootenai County Extension
Chris provides education in forest ecology, silviculture, and other forestry topics to private forest owners, loggers, and foresters.

Valdasue Steele—Benewah County Extension
Valdasue provides education in small acreage agriculture, soils, entrepreneurship, horse science, community development, and 4-H/youth development.

Susan Traver—Bonner County Extension
Susan provides education in family development, Parents As Teachers, community development, and 4-H/youth development.

Jim Wilson—Kootenai County Extension
Jim provides education in leadership, and livestock management, and he leads the panhandle 4-H/youth development program.

Robert Wilson—Bonner County Extension
Bob provides education in nursery and greenhouse crops and Christmas trees; he also coordinates Bonner County Master Gardeners.

--Donna Emert

© 2003 University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.